Natal Midlands, KwaZulu Natal

Balgowan

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Balgowan

North of Howick, in the central part of the Midlands Meander that lies between Nottingham Road and Lidgetton, lies Balgowan, one of the most beautiful parts of the country with weather that invariably rolls all four ... Balgowan information

Boston

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Boston

The little town of Boston is barely distinguishable in its own right. Rather it is linked to Bulwer in what has recently become known as the Boston-Bulwer Beat, just over an hour’s drive from Durban in the foothills of ... Boston information

Camperdown

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Natal Midlands

Lying part way between Hillcrest and Pietermaritzburg along the N3, Camperdown has recently mushroomed for several rather obvious reasons. It lies close to both Durban and Pietermaritzburg, parts of its ... Camperdown information

Currys Post

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Currys Post

Curry’s Post is a beautifully scenic area in the heart of the Midlands Meander that lies between Mooi River and Howick. It has a quaint history that involves the Curry Family, after whom Curry’s Post is named, who ... Currys Post information

Dargle

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Dargle

The Dargle Valley and conservancy area is set in the midst of the Midlands Meander in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg - a land of magic waterfalls, river gorges, grassland, indigenous forest, wild flowers and ... Dargle information

Estcourt

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Estcourt

Lower down in the valley from Van Reenen’s Pass, and in the heart of the Anglo-Boer War territory, Estcourt is a fairly large town that serves as the gateway to the central Drakensberg, together with Winterton just 40 ... Estcourt information

Eston

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Natal Midlands

Eston is real sugarcane country. Head out here from Durban and you're privy to a series of rolling hills, cattle farmlands, and fields of sugarcane. You get a pretty good idea of what most of the surrounding countryside ... Eston information

Greytown

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Greytown

Often referred to as the ‘jewel of KwaZulu Natal, Greytown lies in the forest-clad, rolling hills of the Natal Midlands, a picturesque little town originally settled during the 1850s and subsequently awash with ... Greytown information

Hilton

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Hilton

The distinctly English country village of Hilton with its attractive sense of history lies only 10 kilometres from Pietermaritzburg at the start of the Midlands Meander. Hiltons beginnings originated in the purchase ... Hilton information

Howick

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Howick

Known as the place of many waterfalls, owing to the many tributaries of the uMngeni River that tumble down gorges and over sharp inclines on their way to the Indian Ocean, Howick is possibly best known as the place ... Howick information

Ixopo

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Ixopo

Ixopo is the main centre of the Southern Midlands and forms part of an important sugar farming, and forestry area. Although originally called 'Stuartstown', the original Zulu name 'Ixopo' has prevailed. This ... Ixopo information

Karkloof

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Karkloof

Karkloof is a beautiful range of hills stretching for over 50 kilometres between Rietvlei, Curry’s Post and Howick in the Midlands of Natal. This area includes a steep, flat-topped kloof and an extensive range of ... Karkloof information

Lidgetton

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Lidgetton

Close to Howick in the southern parts of the central Midlands, Lidgetton is little more than a quaint trading post that today boasts something of an artists’ community, a café and post office, as well as a surrounding ... Lidgetton information

Lions River

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Lions River

The little hamlet of Lions River lies between Lidgetton and Howick right in the heart of the Natal Midlands about an hour’s drive from Durban; a tiny modest ‘if you blink you might miss it’ village, with not much beyond ... Lions River information

Mooi River

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Mooi River

Mooi River is 160km from Durban and 64km from Pietermaritzburg. Mooi River is a farming and textile centre which was originally named Lawrenceville after the Irish farmer who formalised its settlement during the 1800s. ... Mooi River information

Nottingham Road

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Nottingham Road

As a child, I always thought Nottingham Road was the equivalent to ‘The Wind in the Willows’ in KwaZulu Natal, and indeed, this beautiful part of the world with its old-world country taverns and traditional old family ... Nottingham Road information

Pietermaritzburg

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Pietermaritzburg

Set in the heart of the Natal Midlands in KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg is a city of charm and dignity, at its loveliest in spring when masses of azaleas burst into bloom. When the first Voortrekkers arrived in ... Pietermaritzburg information

Richmond

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Richmond

The town of Richmond lies in the Natal Midlands, and is roughly an hour-and-a-half's drive from Durban, using the R56 off near Camperdown on the N3, to get there. The little town is rather unglamorously described, together with ... Richmond information

Rosetta

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Rosetta

Rosetta is one of those little villages that, until recently, would have been relegated to a passing glance as you drove through it, on the way to elsewhere. Originally the area was dominated by the Rosetta Farm, ... Rosetta information

Sevenoaks

Where to Stay: Natal Midlands Accommodation

The actual 'village' of Sevenoaks is not much to speak of, merely a smattering of houses scattered on the R33 alongside farmers' fields. Hard to believe you are only a matter of an hour and a half outside of Durban, en route to ... Sevenoaks information

Wartburg

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Wartburg

This little piece of Germany is surrounded by hamlets of definitive origin: Harburg, New Hanover, Kirchdorf, Lillienthal, Schroeders and Hermannsburg. Wartburg itself is named after the castle in Eisenach where Dr ... Wartburg information

Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve

The source of the uMngeni River lies in the uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient wetland bounded by hills. From here it meanders eastward through undulating pastoral countryside until just before Midmar Dam, where it is joined by the Lions River. Below Midmar Dam the river plunges some 111 metres down ... more information

Alexandra Park

Alexandra Park is one of the green belts which contributes to Pietermaritzburg’s reputation as “The Garden City”. The park was established in 1863 and named after Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII. The 85 hectare park is bounded by the Msunduzi River, along which the famous canoe marathon runs. The Park is ... more information

Basani Art and Craft Centre

Adjacent to the Royal Show grounds in Pietermaritzburg lies Basani Arts and Crafts Centre in Hyslop Road. The centre, which has recently been completely renovated, boasts a gallery, a ceramics room and craft room containing a selection of Zulu crafts. Magwaza clay pots are on offer in the ... more information

Doreen Clark Nature Reserve

For those that love South African nature and the outdoors, the Doreen Clark Nature Reserve offers all of this and more. Situated just outside Pietermaritzburg, this nature reserve spans seven hectares and boasts a magnificent forest that is bordered by pristine grassland ... more information

Howick Falls

Howick Falls' other name is KwaNogqaza, the 'place of the tall one', for obvious reasons – the waterfall is a 95 metre cascade into a broiling, restless pool, regarded by the local Zulus with grave superstition, and said to be the place of the spirits of ancestors. Local legend believes that in the pooll lives a giant ... more information

Howick Falls Gorge Walk

The Gorge Walk at Howick Falls is probably one of the best ways to see some pretty spectacular views of the falls and the gorge, through which the uMngeni River flows, some 20 kilometres north of Pietermaritzburg, to the east of the N3. It is easy to follow and not difficult to do, but will take you ... more information

Bosch Hoek Golf Course

Bosch Hoek Golf & Country Estate in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands must qualify as one of the most picturesque layouts in the country. The estate is conveniently positioned at Balgowan near Howick, just a four hour drive from Johannesburg or a leisurely one and a half hour drive from Durban. The course measures ... more information

Burger Street Jail

The Burger Street Jail was closed in 1989 and sections of the jail are open today for tours. The building is now run by Project Gateway, a Christian self-help project, and features a craft shop and coffee shop. The original jail was built in 1862, replacing the Voortrekker jail on market square in Pietermaritzburg. It is one of the ... more information

Craigie Burn Nature Reserve

Just on the other side of Route 622, which links Mooi River with Greytown, from the Karkloof Nature Reserve you will find Craigie Burn Nature Reserve and Dam. The dam is touted as a beautiful fishing spot in the midst of dairy and stock farming country just north of the Midlands Meander. Craigie Burn dam is one of few ... more information

Golden Horse Casino

Scottsville is now home, not only to its well known race course, but to the largest horse statue in the world - a 14 metre Pegasus. The Pegasus proudly greets visitors to the Golden Horse casino, which is a four-star luxury hotel in Pietermaritzburg. The Pegasus was known as the horse god in Greek mythology and was sired by ... more information

Gowrie Farm Golf Course

Gowrie Farm Golf Course, one of KwaZulu Natal’s finest golf courses, was built in the traditional way with push up greens and rugged bunkers. The fairways and tees are Kikuyu with bent grass greens and surrounds. Only people over the age of 65 or those with medical certificates are allowed ... more information

Impendle Nature Reserve

The Impendle Nature Reserve lies just south of the little town of Impendle, roughly 62 km west of Himeville, in the foothills of the Drakensberg. The nature reserve is made up of former farmland used mostly to graze cattle, but also to grow mielies and other vegetable crops, by colonists who ... more information

Kamberg Nature Reserve

The Kamberg Nature Reserve is within the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park of South Africa and is situated centrally in the foothills of the mountains. Kamberg is known for its excellent fly fishing and recently a Bushman Rock Art Site has been opened to the public. The Kamberg Nature Reserve nestles in the ... more information

Maritzburg Country Club

The Maritzburg Golf Club in Pietermaritzburg is one of the oldest golf clubs in South Africa, dating back to 1886. It has lush, smooth cynodon greens; pine trees line many of the fairways and water hazards feature on seven holes; numerous bunkers; very hilly course with beautiful scenery; excellent test of golf ... more information

Marutswa Forest

The Marutswa Forest is home to the rare Cape parrot. The forest does not lie in the Cape, however, but just outside the little village of Bulwer in KwaZulu-Natal in the Marutswa Nature Reserve. Which gives you an idea of where to find it, but not how beautiful it is. It rains a lot here and the Marutswa ... more information

Midlands Meander

The enchantment of the Midlands has long inspired many a visitor and resident to creativity and as a result, local artists, potters and weavers combined to create an arts and crafts route in 1985, which was to become the highly successful and popular Midlands Meander. The route stretches ... more information

Midmar Dam Nature Reserve

The large stretch of fresh water from the uMngeni, coupled with 1000 hectares of game park that contains red hartebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, black wildebeest, oribi and zebra, is what makes the Midmar Dam Nature Reserve so attractive. And the fact that it’s just 7 kilometres from Howick and 24 kilometres from ... more information

Natal Museum

Situated just south of Pietermaritzburg’s City Hall in Jabu Ndlovu Street, the Natal Museum is one of South Africa’s five national museums, set in a particularly pretty building that dates back to 1905. The name, Natal Museum, which is in the process of changing in an attempt to reposition itself as it has shifted with the changes ... more information

Natal Zoological Gardens

The Natal Zoological Gardens are a collection of both local and unusual animals - 44 different animal species to be precise. Aside from the fossas, there are leopards, various primates, a series of birds that include the black swan, crowned crane, peacock and blue crane, lemurs, parrots, kookaburras ... more information

Old Colonial Building

Part of Pietermaritzburg’s colonial history lies in the proud Old Colonial Building, which has stood on Church Street since 1899. The colonnaded front facade was completed in 1901 and was home to various government offices over the years. The design of the building is attributed to William Henry Powell, who won ... more information

Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens

One of eight national botanical gardens, Pietermaritzburg's Botanical Gardens occupy an ancient floodplain and hillside on the edge of a mist belt that creates an atmosphere, on days when the mists roll in, something like that of a Dickens novel. The city is not known as the City of Flowers for nothing, and private ... more information

Pietermaritzburg City Hall

Pietermaritzburg's City Hall, which claims to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere, lies in the middle of the Pietermaritzburg city centre. The building is a national monument and is a beautiful piece of Victorian architecture, with its 47m high bell tower. Constructed in 1893, the building was ravaged by fire in 1895, with ... more information

Queen Elizabeth Nature Reserve

The Queen Elizabeth Nature Reserve serves as the headquarters of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, KwaZulu-Natal’s nature conservation service. Situated in Hilton, the nature reserve is home to many beautiful species, including impala, blesbok, zebra, bushbuck, dassies, grey and blue ... more information

Rhode House Museum

Mooi River is well known for its hospitality and one of the tourist spots to visit is the Rhode House Museum. The museum comprises an old house, displaying various exhibits of local history, including activities of the area such as dairy farming, polo and Zulu beadwork. The house was formerly home to Edgar Rhode ... more information

Victoria Country Club

Less than five minutes from the CBD of Pietermaritzburg, the Victoria Country Club is superbly located in the scenic parklands adjoining the Queen Elizabeth Nature Reserve, and above all, boasts one of South Africa’s most picturesque golfing venues. The course meanders attractively through rolling ... more information

Umvoti Vlei Nature Reserve

Lying just outside of Greytown, the Umvoti Vlei Nature Reserve is 267 hectares that function as a sanctuary for wetland birds - an ideal spot for bird watching that provides an unobtrusive bird hide for avid bird spotters. Most of the reserve is a wetland, hence the fantastic bird life. In the area ... more information

Sakabula Golf Course

Sakabula Golf Club is a unique combination of agricultural smallholdings around a delightful 18-hole, par 73, golf course in a scenic rural environment. Sakabula Golf Club, situated in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, is an 18 hole, par 73 course consisting of two very distinct and different 9 holes. The first 9 holes ... more information

Karkloof Canopy Tour

Where: Howick
How much (per person): On Request

The Karkloof Canopy Tour has been built in a spectacular valley of the Karkloof Forest Reserve. The tour includes long swooping slides over ... more information

Granny Mouse Country House Spa

Where: Howick
How much (per person): On Request

With a newly opened Spa and Wellness Center, this retreat Has one of the most complete and indulgent all-round packages in Kwazulu Natal. Th ... more information

Rejuvenate at Brookdale Day Spa

Where: Nottingham Road
How much (per person): On Request

In the quaint village of Nottingham Road in the scenic KwaZulu Natal Midlands, one can retreat to the tranquility of Brookdale, a haven bord ... more information

Fly-fishing in the Midlands at Fordoun

Where: Nottingham Road
How much (per person): On Request

The Natal Midlands is one of South Africa's premier fly fishing destinations. At Fordoun we have two dams where guests are welcome to fish a ... more information

Butterflies for Africa

Where: Pietermaritzburg
How much (per person): R1 to R100

Butterflies for Africa has been developed to combine the best elements of top butterfly houses from around the world with some unique featur ... more information